大慧普覺禪師宗門武庫 1.33

1.33

福嚴寘和尚，東川人，初遊方見真如和尚發明正見，在溈山知客寮立僧，因語言過失，乞退作園頭，以贖其罪。真如云：「汝福薄，事園供眾乃所宜也。」終二年求替，辭真如，要參真淨五祖去。真如云：「遍歷諸方先聖遺範，汝行勿遲。」首造洞山，室中相契，真淨舉領眾立僧。久之又至四祖宣和尚會中，時時到五祖相見，祖勘辨果有過人處，五祖謂四祖曰：「寘首座叢林達士，何不舉他首眾？」四祖如其言，五祖亦上堂稱其知見作略。有李修撰帥長沙，四祖以書薦之。未幾福嚴虛席，平普融復薦人，帥曰：「當先應副四祖。」但尋書未見，不識名字，因對客坐次，有鼠從架上拕一軸書送在面前，收視之，乃四祖舉寘首座書，帥異之，遂敦請。

Master Zhi of Fuyan was a native of Dongchuan. When he first wandered on pilgrimage, he met Master Zhenru and clarified the right view. He was appointed as a senior monk in the guest hall at Guishan. Because of a verbal mistake, he begged to resign and become the gardener to redeem his fault. Zhenru said, "Your merit is thin; tending the garden to serve the assembly is indeed what is appropriate." After two years, he sought a replacement, took leave of Zhenru, and wished to go investigate Zhenjing and Wuzu. Zhenru said, "Wandering everywhere to visit the exemplary models of past sages—let your travel not be delayed." He first arrived at Dongshan, where he had a spiritual accord in the room, and Zhenjing appointed him to lead the assembly as a senior monk. After a long time, he also arrived at the assembly of Master Xuan of Sizhu. He frequently visited Wuzu; Wuzu tested and examined him and found that he truly possessed qualities surpassing others. Wuzu said to Sizhu, "Head Monk Zhi is an accomplished scholar of the monastic grove; why not appoint him to lead the assembly?" Sizhu did as he said, and Wuzu also ascended the hall to praise his understanding and method. When Drafter Li was military commissioner of Changsha, Sizhu recommended him in a letter. Before long, the seat at Fuyan became vacant. Ping Purong again recommended someone else, but the commissioner said, "We must first respond to Sizhu." However, he could not find the letter and did not know the name. While sitting facing guests, a rat dragged a scroll of writing from the shelf and dropped it in front of him. Taking it up and looking at it, it was Sizhu's letter recommending Head Monk Zhi. The commissioner marvelled at it and immediately sent a sincere invitation.